Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [see-kri-tiv, si-kree-]
- /ˈsi krɪ tɪv, sɪˈkri-/
- /ˈsiː.krə.tɪv/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [see-kri-tiv, si-kree-]
- /ˈsi krɪ tɪv, sɪˈkri-/
Definitions of secretive word
- abbreviation SECRETIVE secretory. 1
- adjective secretive person: keeping secrets 1
- adjective secretive If you are secretive, you like to have secrets and to keep your knowledge, feelings, or intentions hidden. 0
- adjective secretive inclined to secrecy; reticent 0
- adjective secretive tending to conceal one's thoughts, feelings, affairs, etc. from others; reticent; not frank or open 0
- abbreviation SECRETIVE secretory 0
Information block about the term
Origin of secretive
First appearance:
before 1425 One of the 25% oldest English words
1425-75; late Middle English; back formation from secretiveness (itself modeled on French secrétivité). See secret, -ive
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Secretive
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
secretive popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 73% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
secretive usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for secretive
noun secretive
- adjacency — the quality or state of being adjacent; nearness
- clandestinity — secrecy; the quality of being clandestine
- closeness — to put (something) in a position to obstruct an entrance, opening, etc.; shut.
- confidentiality — spoken, written, acted on, etc., in strict privacy or secrecy; secret: a confidential remark.
- covertness — concealed; secret; disguised.
adj secretive
- alchemistic — a form of chemistry and speculative philosophy practiced in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and concerned principally with discovering methods for transmuting baser metals into gold and with finding a universal solvent and an elixir of life.
- astrological — the study that assumes and attempts to interpret the influence of the heavenly bodies on human affairs.
- backdoor — You can use backdoor to describe an action or process if you disapprove of it because you think it has been done in a secret, indirect, or dishonest way.
- backstairs — a secondary staircase in a house, esp one originally for the use of servants
- cagey — If you say that someone is being cagey about something, you mean that you think they are deliberately not giving you much information or expressing an opinion about it.
adjective secretive
- backroom — A backroom is a room that is situated at the back of a building, especially a private room.
- conspiratorial — If someone does something such as speak or smile in a conspiratorial way, they do it in a way that suggests they are sharing a secret with someone.
- enigmatical — Pertaining to an enigma.
- eremitic — Characteristic of a hermit.
- furtive — taken, done, used, etc., surreptitiously or by stealth; secret: a furtive glance.
Antonyms for secretive
adj secretive
- call a spade a spade — to speak plainly and frankly
- frank — direct and unreserved in speech; straightforward; sincere: Her criticism of my work was frank but absolutely fair.
- gabby — talkative; garrulous.
- heart to heart — frank; sincere: We had a heart-to-heart talk about his poor attendance.
noun secretive
- enlightening — Present participle of enlighten.
adjective secretive
- longwinded — Alternative spelling of long-winded.
Top questions with secretive
- what does secretive mean?
- why is area 51 so secretive?
- what is the most secretive place on earth?
- how to be secretive?
- why is the mormon church so secretive?
- secretive raves are most likely held where?
- what is secretive?
- what is the meaning of secretive?
- why did the underground railroad have to be so secretive?
- why are masons so secretive?
- why are some people so secretive?
- what is another word for secretive?
- men who are secretive?
- why are men secretive?
- what is the definition of secretive?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with s
- Words starting with se
- Words starting with sec
- Words starting with secr
- Words starting with secre
- Words starting with secret
- Words starting with secreti
- Words starting with secretiv
- Words starting with secretive